I expect an exodus within a couple years.
Here's why:
1) Game mechanics being introduced, specifically powerplay, megaships, and squad carriers.
1.1) Powerplay makes less sense in the bubble than it would in the deep, where factions could carve out distinct empires not mushed up into everyone else's spheres of influence.
1.2) Megaships offer a means for migration. Fleets of colony megaships heading out to distant destinations could provide pitstops along the exodus path, allowing players to participate without getting too far from port.
1.3) Carriers would fit into this diaspora perfectly, ferrying short-range vessels from the popped bubble to humanity's new home. Also, their prescence would add variety to the Battlestar-esque fleets I expect to start crossing the skies.
2) The Colonia bubble. There's a whole group of unclaimed, populated systems just a quick hop south of SagA, with names like Phoenix and Earth Expedition Fleet. Enough worlds for the powers to start from scratch and have a good struggle over before starting new colonies.
3) Thargs. An enigmatic and overpowering alien aggressor marching inexorably towards human space offers the best motive for expansion. Diversify or die.
I've seen comments about the bubble being too big and the thargs moving too slowly, but that's easily fixed. Gradually increase frequency and severity of attacks. Maybe have smaller colonies shutter as refugees flee to more defended systems. Few months of frentic defense cgs and then shift to building arks and ferrying refugees.
I've also seen comments about players not being receptive to the bubble popping. I disagree. The game is lightyears wide and one inch deep. I believe this sort of catastrophic event would unite communities and provide incentive to play. "Is my pet colony one of those hit?! Noo! Not Blanktown! I must help defend/evacuate!"
Fdev can have this idea if they haven't already, call it a freebie.
Here's why:
1) Game mechanics being introduced, specifically powerplay, megaships, and squad carriers.
1.1) Powerplay makes less sense in the bubble than it would in the deep, where factions could carve out distinct empires not mushed up into everyone else's spheres of influence.
1.2) Megaships offer a means for migration. Fleets of colony megaships heading out to distant destinations could provide pitstops along the exodus path, allowing players to participate without getting too far from port.
1.3) Carriers would fit into this diaspora perfectly, ferrying short-range vessels from the popped bubble to humanity's new home. Also, their prescence would add variety to the Battlestar-esque fleets I expect to start crossing the skies.
2) The Colonia bubble. There's a whole group of unclaimed, populated systems just a quick hop south of SagA, with names like Phoenix and Earth Expedition Fleet. Enough worlds for the powers to start from scratch and have a good struggle over before starting new colonies.
3) Thargs. An enigmatic and overpowering alien aggressor marching inexorably towards human space offers the best motive for expansion. Diversify or die.
I've seen comments about the bubble being too big and the thargs moving too slowly, but that's easily fixed. Gradually increase frequency and severity of attacks. Maybe have smaller colonies shutter as refugees flee to more defended systems. Few months of frentic defense cgs and then shift to building arks and ferrying refugees.
I've also seen comments about players not being receptive to the bubble popping. I disagree. The game is lightyears wide and one inch deep. I believe this sort of catastrophic event would unite communities and provide incentive to play. "Is my pet colony one of those hit?! Noo! Not Blanktown! I must help defend/evacuate!"
Fdev can have this idea if they haven't already, call it a freebie.
